WE DID IT

Finally, a little warmth. I love winter as much as anyone, but something shifts when the birds start chirping, a sweet breeze rolls through, and you look out to find your dogs belly-up in the first sunny patches of clean grass. Spring is knocking, and honestly, it's welcome.

The dinner club was a great success (we did it!), and I've got all the details below. Beyond that, we've got a really wonderful week ahead. Thanks so much for reading — talk soon!

This Week’s Weather ❄️☁️

☀️ Tue 3/10 — Mostly Sunny, 70°/45°, 6% rain 

🌦️ Wed 3/11 — AM Showers, 62°/45°, 40% rain 

🌧️ Thu 3/12 — AM Showers, 51°/23°, 53% rain 

☁️ Fri 3/13 — Mostly Cloudy, 41°/33°, 11% rain 

⛅ Sat 3/14 — Partly Cloudy, 47°/28°, 18% rain 

🌨️ Sun 3/15 — Snow to Rain, 38°/36°, 47% rain 

🌧️ Mon 3/16 — Showers, 42°/20°, 67% rain

A huge thank you to @beldenhouse for staying up late just for us — we packed the place out.

Also, very big thanks to these amazing places for having us

@athecorner
@theabnerhotel
@thevillagelitchfield
@saltswg
@marketplace.kitchenandbar

We ended up booking across five restaurants in total, with people coming from all around Litchfield County.
The number one thing I heard was that people made new friends, exchanged numbers, and cannot wait for the next one.

The second most common thing I heard was people's nervousness as they walked in. They had no idea what to expect — they didn’t know if they’d click with the other people at their table. And I think that’s exactly the point: you get rewarded when you do something that challenges you.

Honestly, I had no idea how it was going to go — but I could not have been happier with the result. We all want to make real connections, but most of us don’t know how to create the conditions for them. I think this is going to be one of the easiest and most fun ways imaginable to just show up, meet new people, and potentially walk away with a friendship you’ll keep for the rest of your life.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out. It was so great meeting every single one of you, and I cannot wait to see you at the next one. I think this is going to be something really special. ❤️

See more pics here

Sign up for the next one here

About two years ago, I started volunteering at the Community Kitchen of Torrington, nervous, with no idea what to expect. When I pushed open those heavy church doors, I was greeted by Executive Director Dimon "DJ" Jeudi, one of the warmest and most welcoming people I've ever come across. He showed me around, then put me right to work — serving meals to a steady stream of food-insecure neighbors from across Litchfield County.

It stopped me in my tracks. I'd always thought of this area as relatively comfortable, even affluent in places. I had no idea how many people here are quietly struggling. That afternoon reframed something for me: there are remarkable people doing quiet, essential work for the most vulnerable among us — and the line between security and need is thinner than most of us want to admit. As the old saying goes, there but for the grace of God go I.

And that brings me to Empty Bowls 2026 — one of my favorite kinds of community events: simple, meaningful, and open to everyone. If you've ever been curious about getting involved in a local charity but weren't sure where to start, this is a genuinely easy and enjoyable entry point. You'll share a warm meal with good people, leave with a beautiful piece of handmade pottery, and know that your ticket directly supports the work DJ and his team do every single day.

I plan to be there, and I'd love to see you there too. And if you can't make it, the Community Kitchen accepts donations online — even a small one goes a long way for people who need it most.

This is the 16th year they've done it, which says a lot about how much it matters.

Thursday, March 19th | 5:00–7:30 PM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St, Torrington
Tickets are $20 (includes your bowl), families cap out at $50, and kids 5 and under are free. A $10 meal-only option is available, too.

Come hungry, leave full, and take home something beautiful — all while helping make sure your neighbors don't go without. Grab your tickets by calling Marilyn at (860) 482-0356 or visit communitykitchen.net.

The correct answer to last week's question of which town in Litchfield County has the highest peak is Mt. Frissell in Salisbury!

Mount Frissell is located on the border of Mount Washington, Massachusetts, and Salisbury, Connecticut. While the summit is in Massachusetts, the southern slope holds the highest elevation point in Connecticut.

Congrats to:

Nancy

And Mary!

OK, that brings us to this week's question (no googling, please!)

Litchfield County is home to one of the most visited state parks in Connecticut: a stunning waterfall destination that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. What is it called?

Each week, we’ll ask a question, and the winners will be announced the following week.

Just reply to this email with your answer :)

Sundays from 10-4, the raclette grill is hot, and the cheesemongers are serving up a classic Alpine lunch of melty cheese over fresh, toasted baguette! $12 lunch special comes with salami, olives and grainy mustard. Prepared to order and served hot to go!

CLICK HERE

📍New Curds on the Block
Cheese Shop
900 Main Street, Oakville, CT
959 209 4031

The Ledger will always be FREE. But thank you to everyone who has donated recently. Your support means the world! We've been brainstorming ways to make supporting the Litchfield Ledger easier than ever, and we figured the best place to start was simply to ask. So, we put together a quick poll to hear what works best for you when it comes to supporting local media.

Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield – Tuesday Baby Time is a calm and cozy gathering designed for babies from birth to 18 months. Enjoy gentle nursery rhymes, lullabies, and bonding moments in a relaxed setting perfect for pre-walkers and caregivers. 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM BOND

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Explore the powerful impact of women in art in Fierce Females: Women in Art (Part IV) with art historian Jane O'Neail. This engaging lecture highlights groundbreaking artists—from Angelica Kauffman to Yayoi Kusama—who reshaped artistic expression and challenged cultural expectations across generations. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM LEARN

Gunn Memorial Library, Washington – Build your sewing skills in Sewing 101: Quilted Tote Bags (Week 2), part of a beginner-friendly Makerspace workshop series. Learn machine sewing techniques like precise seams, boxed corners, and binding while creating your own quilted tote bag with provided materials and equipment. 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM SEW

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Experience Give Me Your Hand: A Celtic Musical Celebration with the ensemble Entwyned, featuring historic Irish and Scottish melodies preserved in the Edward Bunting collections. Performed on Celtic harp, lutes, mandolin, Baroque flutes, and viola da gamba, the program blends lively music with a fascinating lecture on the history and culture of Celtic traditions. 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM LISTEN

The Silo, New Milford – Celebrate St. Patrick’s season with Chef Carlos Perez in The Luck of the Irish, a hands-on culinary experience reimagining classic Irish comfort foods. Learn to prepare dishes like Dublin Coddle, creamy colcannon, tender corned beef with soda bread, and a warm spiced bread pudding dessert while exploring the rich flavors and traditions of Irish cuisine. 6:30 PM COOK

Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a festive Paint & Sip hosted by Painting on the Gogh. Create two lucky glass drinking cans decorated with shamrocks and golden horseshoes while enjoying guided instruction, a relaxed atmosphere, and your favorite wine from the vineyard. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PAINT

South Farms, Morris – Enjoy an intimate Winter Supper Club experience featuring a thoughtfully curated, chef-driven tasting menu. The evening begins with cocktails and conversation before a family-style dinner showcasing seasonal dishes—from amuse-bouche and fresh salads to hearty proteins, vegetables, and dessert. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM SAVOR

Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford – Catch a lively night of rock and party vibes with Scratch Band. Known for their rowdy, high-energy shows packed with classic guitar-driven tunes, this late-night set promises plenty of laughs, cold brews, and good times. $5 cover at the door. 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM ROCK

Sage and Salt, Litchfield – Enjoy a night of stand-up at The Comedy Lounge featuring some of the Northeast’s best comedians. Grab a drink, settle in, and get ready for an evening packed with laughs in this lively comedy showcase. 8:00 PM LAUGH

Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center, Litchfield – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a festive cooking demonstration led by Margaret Jacobs. Watch classic Irish-inspired dishes come together—from ruby-glazed corned beef and creamy colcannon to Irish soda bread and shamrock cookies—while learning tips for creating a memorable holiday meal. 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM COOK

Village Center for the Arts, New Milford – Get your hands dirty at Dirty Date Night, a fun pottery experience where couples learn to throw a piece on the wheel and trim the base during a second visit. Bring your favorite beverage and snacks, enjoy a creative night together, and return later to glaze your finished piece after it’s fired. 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM THROW

South Farms, Morris – Dance away the winter blues with a high-energy performance by Soul Sound Revue at the Winter Concert Series. Expect an electrifying mix of Motown, Funk, and R&B classics from legends like The Four Tops, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Stevie Wonder—plus modern dance hits that keep the crowd moving all night. This 21+ fundraising concert supports the Morris Beach and Recreation Commission. 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM DANCE

Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury – Celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions: Ascendancy: The Self in Contemporary Art, guest curated by Camilo Alvarez, and Wende Caporale-Greene: The Art of Feeding Community, honoring local food workers through powerful portraiture. Meet the community, explore the galleries, and enjoy an inspiring afternoon of art and conversation. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EXPLORE

Hopkins Vineyard, Warren – Enjoy the Winter Wine & Music Series featuring live music from FranDango. Relax with a glass of wine while the band performs an energetic mix of classic hits in a scenic lakeside vineyard setting. Free admission. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CHILL

Norbrook Farm Brewery, Colebrook – Celebrate St. Patrick’s season with live music from O'Styles & O'Roys. Enjoy an afternoon of lively Irish-inspired tunes, great craft beer, and festive brewery vibes perfect for a Sunday gathering with friends. 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM JAM

Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford – Celebrate St. Patrick’s season with a high-energy performance by The Mighty Ploughboys. This five-piece powerhouse blends classic rock with traditional Irish influences for a lively show that always packs the house. 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM GET ROCKED

Oneglia Auditorium, Torrington – Experience the electrifying sound of Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the world-famous ensemble blending traditional Scottish bagpipes with rock anthems and high-energy stage performance. This thrilling show delivers powerful music, crowd energy, and unforgettable Celtic rock. 7:30 PM VIBE

The Pink House, Cornwall – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a festive dinner menu and live music in a cozy riverside setting. Enjoy Irish-inspired favorites like soda bread with Guinness beer cheese, cottage pie, smoked brisket with seasonal vegetables, and classic bangers and mash for a hearty holiday feast. 7:00 PM FEAST

The Litchfield Ledger is free, independent, and community-run.
If you’re able to chip in, your support keeps it going—and keeps local stories alive.
Thank you,
Patrick